\n Tony Bennett.<\/span> Loona\/Abaca\/Shutterstock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Tony Bennett<\/a>\u2019s loved ones shared a message of love and joy following the singer\u2019s death on Friday, July 21<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you to all the fans, friends and colleagues of Tony\u2019s who celebrated his life and humanity and shared their love of him and his musical legacy,\u201d Bennett\u2019s wife, Susan Benedetto<\/strong> (n\u00e9e Crow)<\/a>, and his eldest son, Danny, wrote in a joint statement via Instagram<\/a> as tributes continued to pour in. \u201cFrom his first performances as a singing waiter in Queens to his last performances in 2021 at Radio City Music Hall, Tony delighted in performing the songs he loved and making people happy.\u201d<\/p>\n The duo shared a photo of the late musician (real name Anthony Dominick Benedetto) performing at Radio City Music Hall on his 95th birthday in August 2021. \u201cAnd as sad as today has been for all of us we can find joy in Tony\u2019s legacy forever,\u201d the statement concluded.<\/p>\n The heartwarming message came hours after news broke of Bennett\u2019s death. He was 96.<\/p>\n Bennett\u2019s publicist confirmed the news to the Associated Press, noting that he passed away in New York. His cause of death was not revealed at the time, but Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer\u2019s in 2016<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cTony left us today, but he was still singing the other day at his piano and his last song was, \u2018Because of You,\u2019 his first #1 hit,\u201d Bennett\u2019s team wrote via social media<\/a> on Friday. \u201cTony, because of you we have your songs in our heart forever. \u2764.\u201d<\/p>\n The legendary jazz singer, who won more than 18 Grammy Awards<\/a> throughout his nearly seven-decade career, would have turned 97 on August 3.<\/p>\n In addition to his wife, whom he wed in 2007, Bennett is survived by his four kids from past relationships.<\/p>\n Bennett tied the knot for the first time in 1952, exchanging vows with an art student named Patricia Beech<\/strong>. That same year, he released his debut album, Because of You<\/em>. The former couple welcomed sons Danny and Dae in 1952 and 1955, respectively. Bennett and Beech separated in the 1960s and finalized their divorce in 1971.<\/p>\n The \u201cWay You Look Tonight\u201d singer<\/a> moved on with Sandra Grant<\/strong>, whom he wed in 1971. The pair welcomed daughters Joanna and Antonia in 1970 and 1974, respectively. While Bennett and Grant split in 1979, they weren\u2019t legally divorced until 2007.<\/p>\n Bennett and Benedetto subsequently said \u201cI do,\u201d and they were married for more than 15 years before his death.<\/p>\n The statement from Bennett\u2019s family was just one of many mourning Bennett\u2019s passing<\/a> on Friday. The musician received an outpouring of love from fellow singers and other celebrity admirers.<\/p>\n \u201cRest in peace, Tony. You were the epitome of a gentleman with a God given one-of-a-kind voice,\u201d Carrie Underwood<\/strong><\/a> captioned a slideshow of pics<\/a> of herself and Bennett over the years. \u201cIt was truly a great honor of my career and of my life to get to share the stage with you\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Sign up for Us Weekly’s free, daily newsletter<\/a> and never miss breaking news or exclusive stories about your favorite celebrities, TV shows and more!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Reba McEntire<\/strong><\/a> also gushed over the late singer via social media, writing<\/a>, \u201cI had the pleasure of being around @itstonybennett twice in my career, both times at Christmas. He was a gentleman and a music icon and his voice will live on for years to come. Rest in peace, Tony.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Tony](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Tony-Bennett-s-Family-Say-Late-Singer-Delighted-in-Making-People-Happy-in-Fan-Thank-You-294.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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